For a first car does it save money to a buy a used or new car in the long run?

I've been debating with a friend that some used cars are cheaper than new cars in the ling run like my dads old honda is 15 years old and runs fine being 250,000 mileage whereas buying a new car might save money on insurance but even with less maintenance the monthly rent makes it cost more. I was thinking of buying a Honda accord 1990 and using it until i could get a S2000. For the example is it cheaper to get a honda accord 1990 or a new honda accord,(also what about a new honda civic coupe type r as well)

First car should ALWAYS be a junker. There's a 75% chance of getting in an accident with the first car. The odds come way down after that. New drivers make dumb mistakes like tuning the radio and hitting parked cars, talking to others in the car while looking at them in the rear view or turning to look back and crashing. Taking curves too fast and over correcting etc.Etc.

Ignore the other guy. It doesn't HAVE HAVE HAVE to be a junker. My first car was a 2002 Pontiac grand am. For the time it was really nice! Really good paint, aftermarket wheels, and had a stereo system in. Cost me $4000

New cars lose between 20 and 30% of their value when you drive then off the lot.
Unless you want to keep them a long time They are not a good buy
As a first car statistics say you will crash it within the first year.
You want to minimise yiur loses when you do.

Take a look at Edmunds TCO calculator. A brand new Toyota Camry will cost you over $31,000 in five years, or over $6,000 per year. Whereas a used 2014 Camry will run you in at a bit over $25,000 for five years or around $5,000 per year. However, a 2011 Camry will end up costing about the same as the 2014.

The reason is that a new car will suffer a lot of depreciation in the first few years. But a car that is a few years old won't have that. But it also won't have a warranty, although it should still do alright for several years to come. An older car will be cheaper to buy but will need more repairs making it a toss up with a semi-used car if you don't do your own mechanic work. However, an older car would be much cheaper if you can do your own mechanic work instead of paying a mechanic $50-$100 per hour.

Buying a new car jacks the car insurance way up.
if you buy a used car look for one that has around 90,000 miles on it. A 2004 or newer would be best. Make sure that the timing belt has been replaced or plan on spending $700 to get it replaced. Don't let a salesman talk you into a used car warranty.

There's nothing wrong in buying a honda accord of that year. I live in the UK. My wife has a 1988/9 honda accord. Only last week the car was subjected to an annual compulsory safety inspection (this applies to all cars in the UK) the car passed without any issues. I own a 1991 accord and that also passed with no issues a couple of months ago. The inspection cost £35 for each car. The inspection covers, steering, suspension components, wheel bearings, all lights, exhaust system emissions, seat belts /operation, all the braking system including the abs. And efficiency, screen wash and wiper blades, bodywork condition including the front windshield, tyres including the spare which must have a minimum of 1.6 mm of tread at least 3/4 of the width of the tyre and full circumference, anything less is illegal. I have not had to spend a fortune to keep both cars road worthy. In my opinion honda are excellent, even old one's.